Call signs

[hma1369]

According to the monthly 1st MAW Command Chronologies for March-July 1968, the assigned call sign was "Reenlist". It remained the "official" call sign at least through Feb 1969. When did "Scarface" return, or was it used all along?

On the list of tailcodes/call signs (I didn't come up with the call signs) "Dixie Cup" and "Eagle Claw" are shown for 367. When were these used?

[HM lynch]

Scarface was the only call sign we used in late 1967 and all of 1968.

[hma1369]

Thanks for clearing this up. Scarface is the only call sign used in the various Command Chronologies or After Action Reports.

[barryandmargot]

According to the monthly 1st MAW Command Chronologies for March-July 1968, the assigned call sign was "Reenlist". It remained the "official" call sign at least through Feb 1969. When did "Scarface" return, or was it used all along?

On the list of tailcodes/call signs (I didn't come up with the call signs) "Dixie Cup" and "Eagle Claw" are shown for 367. When were these used?

Eagle Claw was also used when we were assigned to SOG missions in 68/69

[jgunter6]

I remember when they tried to change the call sign. All the pilots got together and refused to use "reenlist". They tried to get us to use other words, but we were always Scarface. At least wjile I was there from11/67 to 7/69.

[Joe Burney]

I was in VMO-3/HML-367 in 67/68. When I got there in Aug 67 the callsign was Oakgate. It soon was changed to Scarface and about the time HML was formed they switched it to Reenlist. I believe this was to confuse Charley !! All squadrons were subject to this commsecurity move; however as I recall, the switch had us going to "Renlist", VMO-6 was "Cadaver", VMO-1 was "Hostage" etc. Anyway those were so ridiculous no one used them and we stayed "Scarface" Can you imagine Cadaver Medevac chase checking in? These may have the sqds confused but I remember the dumb callsigns!

[Joe Reed]

I always wondered about a few of these myself..Some were particilarly "unusual", in my mind:

Cattlecall- HMM-161
Spartan Luck- HMM-165
Frosty Gold- HMM-262
Comprise- VMO-1 (?)

Never really thought about it before arriving RVN, but all the war movies we saw up to that time had aricraft as "Red Leader" or "Eagle" or similar fear inspiriing callsigns. Cadaver, Reenlist and the others don't really sound that awe inspiring, but we got used to them.

[Ray Norton]

It must have taken a staff of sixty or more at headquarters to think these things up!

[sutterwl]

"fighting mad 1 - 4 actual"

now that is a real call sign, courtesy of 3/3/3

sure beats the hell out of "clip clop" = hmm-362

semper fi

[Allyn Hinton]

Comprise was HML-167, and Hostage was VMO-2

[Rick]

VMO-6, Ky Ha, we were Klondike. It seems we changed to something else, for a short while, then Cadaver...now, that was weird.....Cadaver to the Coffin...was generally the call to the Tower.
I remember working with the guys on the ground, we would check in with our Cadaver..some had a real problem with that. But, I remember once, a very reluctant sounding radioman was looking for some gun support...we finally broke protocol and told him....formerly Klondike.....his tone immediately changed. We had to rebuild our reputation from scratch. It never did make much sense to me, but I am sure it fooled some gook out there someplace, who really didn't care.....
VMO-6
HML-367

[Mark Byrd]

The call sign Eagle Claw was used on our SOG mission in 1969 in fall and winter month of 1969 and probably for a long time prior to that time. Scarface regularly provided 2 UH1E gunships per day for mission 72. We usually launched before dawn from Phu Bai as a Scarface flight and landed at the SF launch site MLT-2 in Quang Tri, as an Eagle Claw flight.

The call signs for the other aircraft in the package on the SOG missions from there were: Dragon flies, Knats and Kingbees and the FAC ac were Covey and Nail.

Army AH1G Cobras from the 77th Aerial Rocket Artillery of the 101st ABN Div were call sign Dragon fly, but it was usually shortened to Fly. The Knats, H model UH1's from the 101's (BlackWidows I think) were simply Knats, the the Kingbees, H34's from the Vietnamese 217th (?) squadron were Kingbees. Eagle Claw was usually shortened to Claw lead.

The missions were flown for SOG's operation Prairie Fire. If things turned to shit and it became an emergency - a recon team in trouble or a bird down across the wire we could declare a Prairie Fire Emergency, usually shortened to a PF, and the word was that we could get any air support we needed including the Goodyear blimp.

Scarface's role on these missions was to control all helicopter assets on the operation and provide provide gun and rocket support as well, backed up by the Army Cobras which could carry so much more ordnance.

[John Ace Hunt]

When I arrived on scene '69, we were 'Highboy', then went to 'Clan', then another one, and another before they left in Oct'69, I believe. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[hma1369]

VMO-6, Ky Ha, we were Klondike.

I found a document online that had VMO-6 using "Klondike" in Korea in 1950.

[John Ace Hunt]

It was still in use in '69, as I remember it. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[lurch]

in 165 we were LADY ACE. a lot of the time they used tail letter phonitic code ,YP yankee PAPA etc or something for just one mission what a Clstr fk !

[John Ace Hunt]

Lurch, there were a bunch of those for sure. I believe after my splatter, ours went briefly to 'injure'. Then something else at the last month. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[lurch]

damn ! ACE thats all F ed up that they would use that call sign , but you know the dark sense of humor we developed IS one of our trade marks in the CORPS .I heard they were using CHOPPER after Mine sf kc

[John Ace Hunt]

I believe its so Lurch. Someone in command had a good laugh I believe. We went over as 'Bonnie Sue', I was there when we were 'Highboy', and when we were on the Iwo-Jima, we were 'Clan',and then the 'injure', in August , and a bit of Sept., then had several more after I left the scene. Every place I went to stabilize so I could get on to Memphis, 'I still had no chance to survive'. I say this, Not one of them ever won the death kitty, because of me. Several were big ones too. I've spited them for 41 years now, and hope for at least 20-25 more. That is up to our Jesus though. I would spite them, and use 'CHOPPER'. Its better than some, I tell you. Stay Warm again. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[lurch]

we had some good ones in 165,night train express ,war angel,double nuts (this one made it into stars and stripes because CMC and his Lady were unfortunatly photographed departing the crew door and the name was on the armor plate ) mine was SEAGULL from the BAD COMPANY song in 1973.after my " whirring blender " ordeal I named all my planes seagull cause of the words in the song really fit ! we had acouple of sgts on the flight line that paint detailed cars so they did the lettering and art work a short white sgt and a tall black sgt we called em salt and pepper so I don't remember their real names but they were both the salt of the earth as far as I'm concerned.sf kc

[lurch]

after Big JIM MCGINN let us grow handlebar mustaches if we shaved our heads I heard a Marine Gen @the singapore air show tell him our call sign should be SKY PIRATE .I loved it !

[John Ace Hunt]

Lurch, there were some good ones there for sure. I liked #13 in ours,265 , 'The Goblin'. It fit it for sure. Definately a good Bird. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[Dale A Riley]

Call sign: Chatterbox
Plane name: Tree Trimmer

[mecollins]

Back in the "Old Corps" (LOL) ., we were not permitted to tag our birds.
On the side of my 'old corps' flight helmet.,I had stenciled.,"NO DEPOSIT..NO RETURN". All black with a set of 'racing' stripes up thru the middle.
Perhaps,a tag such as this.,might have been very advantageous with rookie pilots. The helmet spooked them a bit.
Just a thought,
Craze

[lurch]

thats outstanding Dale ! some pilots i knew could have been called that

[John Ace Hunt]

Dale, that was a good name. You did some trimming as well huh. Had I lasted, mine would have been the 'Coyote', with the runners neck streatched apart. It was next to paint. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[John Ace Hunt]

Mike I do believe that would have gotten a bunch of them to thinking more than they did. I say with glee, the two thousand plus page spending bill is DEAD. A better one will be passed when the lamer Ducks limp off in the sunset. It would have cost us well over a trillion bucks. Had a senator aid hang up on me, but I'll talk to him again tomorrow bout it. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[lurch]

hey Craze ,I know they didn't let CC " personelize" the AC back in the BAD OLE DAYS ,I remember 163 was allowed to have the "EVIL EYES" (to kool )and I remember a huey with a smiley face on it's belly ! I think WE almost all of us qualify for the "OLD CORPS" ... NOW ! semper fi kc

[Dale A Riley]

thats outstanding Dale ! some pilots i knew could have been called that

Major Harvey "Blades" Britt, A member of Popasmoke gave me that idea one day on a hairy extract. A cliff like no other with the team trapped on the edge and a straight 1000' foot drop off (at least that is what it looked like to me at the time) He had absolutely no reference point forward to judge the distance and movement I asked for and the BIG boulders prevented even getting two wheels down. Long story short - it took us two trips to hell but he did it and we got them. I sent him a letter in May09 when I found out about HMM-262 Old Tigers and PAS and got his address down in Ruston, La but haven't heard back. He was really a rough old salt and every new Lt. had trouble just finding DOWN when he was done with them. At this point in time I had been hollered at every day for three years give or take a couple months since I first stepped on the yellow footprints so he was just another in a LONG line, although his Cajun accent stuck out.

[Walt]

Harvey Britt was with us when we did Operation Rose for CI Henry in Frnaklin La. Jake , Yeager Harvey and myself. That was the first time I met him but I have never heard from him since. SF

[mecollins]

hey Craze ,I know they didn't let CC " personelize" the AC back in the BAD OLE DAYS ,I remember 163 was allowed to have the "EVIL EYES" (to kool )and I remember a huey with a smiley face on it's belly ! I think WE almost all of us qualify for the "OLD CORPS" ... NOW ! semper fi kc

.,getting totally off subject matter.,I loved the crossed eyeballs on the "deuces" that were sent to RVN. I still get a chuckle out of the image of them & the call sign.,"Junkman".

[mecollins]

Major Harvey "Blades" Britt, A member of Popasmoke gave me that idea one day on a hairy extract. A cliff like no other with the team trapped on the edge and a straight 1000' foot drop off (at least that is what it looked like to me at the time) He had absolutely no reference point forward to judge the distance and movement I asked for and the BIG boulders prevented even getting two wheels down. Long story short - it took us two trips to hell but he did it and we got them. I sent him a letter in May09 when I found out about HMM-262 Old Tigers and PAS and got his address down in Ruston, La but haven't heard back. He was really a rough old salt and every new Lt. had trouble just finding DOWN when he was done with them. At this point in time I had been hollered at every day for three years give or take a couple months since I first stepped on the yellow footprints so he was just another in a LONG line, although his Cajun accent stuck out.

Sounds to this ol' coon.,that this is an area that we commonly referred to as "Iron Bridge Ridge" during my tour. There was a "well used" LZ blown out by Force Recon.,that only provided enough area for the HAC to touch the starboard aft landing gear at the edge.,the rest of the bird hung over that sheer rockface. Made the Rockpile seem like a touch down at LAX.
Craze

[John Ace Hunt]

Mike, I can tell you they were still there by the time I started Flying, 4,'69. Those made a dull day very interesting. It was funny to see a grunt get aboard, with a white face. They were glad to get out for sure. I would wonder if the black pajamas, or the extraction gave them the white face. I'm just glad the 53's were there then, and the Duces were sent home. They were the odd balls for certain. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.

[lurch]

Dale ,Maj "Blades " sounds alot like Maj " The RED BARRON " Barrentts,I saw and heard him melt down quite a few new Lts. I was only on the recieving end one time cause i had bitched about some kinda training not being done ! I was but in charge of IT . (I never learn ) .He was one of the best "STICKS" I ever saw and I loved flying with Him ! sf kc P.S. He kinda looked like a WW1 german barron ! that just added to the fear factor lol

[John Ace Hunt]

Lurch, glad I was in 265. We had, From the CO down, very good Men. That is but one. I never heard any of them get in anyones face. Not that it wasn't needed a few times. I'm sure when they did it, it was away from enlisted ears. Semper Fi, and READY-APP.